The Kyiv School of Economics has established a new center — the KSE Laboratory for the Study of Religion — to bring together scholars studying religion for collaborative academic work and to initiate independent and unbiased research on religion in Ukraine. The center is led by historian Andriy Fert, who, along with a team of researchers, will focus on studying the instrumentalization of religious practices in social, cultural, and political transformations, as well as in shaping national identity.
“The goal of this Laboratory is not to promote religion but to examine it as a cultural phenomenon. It is also about moving beyond debates over the so-called truth of belief in God and instead focusing on studying cultural practices, motivations, sentiments, and what drives people’s religious behavior,” says Andriy Fert.
One of the key research directions of the Laboratory will be the study of religion as an element of national identity. Many Ukrainians associate themselves with Eastern Orthodox Christianity not necessarily due to religious beliefs but because of established national traditions. As Fert notes, in 2018-2019, there was a phenomenon of “atheists of the Kyiv Patriarchate”: “I don’t believe in God, but I support the idea of an independent church free from Moscow’s administration.” This demonstrates that Orthodoxy in Ukraine extends far beyond just the religious dimension.
Another important research focus is how Russia uses religious institutions to influence Ukraine. Historically, the church has been a tool for spreading the idea of Ukrainians and Russians as a “one nation” and reinforcing Russian imperial policies. From the times of the Russian Empire, through the Soviet Union, and into the present, the Orthodox Church has often served as a mouthpiece for propaganda and ideological control.
“There are not many Ukrainian-language studies on this topic,” notes Andriy Fert. “Many outstanding works have been produced by Ukrainian historians and anthropologists, but mostly in English for the Western academic community. We aim to change that and start discussing these issues in Ukrainian, within Ukraine.”
The KSE Laboratory for the Study of Religion aims to create a platform for open discussions on religion and its role in society through a series of public lectures.
A regular series of university seminars on religious research is planned for 2025, to be held once a month. The first seminar took place in January and focused on the impact of war on religious communities in Ukraine. The event featured speaker Karen Nikiforov — a KSE lecturer, historian, and a key figure in advancing academic religious studies in Ukraine. The discussion covered methodological challenges in studying religious transformations, particularly how war affects religious practices and identity. This meeting was an important step in establishing an independent research platform that brings together historians, sociologists, and religious studies scholars.
The next seminar is scheduled for February 18 and will explore the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in the context of war and Russian influence. The speaker will be Andriy Fert, coordinator of the Laboratory, who will present his findings on the sentiments of UOC believers and clergy toward public disapproval of their church. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the church during the war and possible reform paths it must take to restore public trust.
The event will be moderated by Tymofii Brik, Rector of KSE, PhD in Sociology, and a researcher of social trust and religious markets.
Looking ahead, the Laboratory plans to launch a joint academic project analyzing how perceptions of Ukrainian national identity and the role of religion within it are evolving.
Stay updated on the KSE Laboratory for the Study of Religion’s work and join the discussion on religion as a key societal phenomenon.